1. The Phone Call

If it were her, I would hang up. If it were Charlie, I'd get the information I needed through subterfuge. I'd prove Rosalie's sick little joke wrong, and then go back to my nothingness.

"Hi, this is Bella,” answered Bella. Her voice was just as I imagined, perfect, soft. She sounded a little worried, but I didn't let that bother me. I couldn't speak. Even though I said I would hang up - I don't think I'd be able to speak anyway.

"Hello? Anyone there?" she asked, growing slightly annoyed. I couldn't. I wouldn't. But even when I said I didn't, I did.

"Sorry wrong number" I made up a voice, a little deeper than my own. My voice sounded sad; even for me.

"Um… Okay." She sounded slightly confused, and relieved. Did she know who I was? Or was she relieved it wasn't me?

"No wait" I interrupted before she said anything else. It was a little higher than before, more urgent. I couldn't give myself away. A deep sigh in the background, not Bella's. Wait. It sounded like a boys… Could it be Bella had a boyfriend?

"Yes?" growing more impatient now.

"I… it's." My voice cracked; I couldn't - I wouldn't.

"Look, if you don't want anything, you might as well go" Her voice sounded a little annoyed, a little saddened.

"I...um. I was wondering… I mean we’re doing a survey.” I knew this was cruel but I needed to know who this boy was in Bella’s house. “It’s about how many people are in their house right now and their relations with each other. Will you please answer the following questions?” This wasn’t at all fair but this was my Bella and I knew I wanted her to be happy but I missed her terribly.

“Um… Okay?” she said, making it sound like a question. I heard the wind whooshing as the phone was snatched from her feeble little hands.

“Hey, listen buddy. We’re kinda in the middle of something. I hope you understand. Goodbye,” he an annoyed deep rough voice. This was mostly likely the boy who sighed in the background.

“Hey. Jacob! Give me the phone back. I was talking–” Bella was abruptly cut off as the phone line went dead. I could only imagine her little face as she tried to grab the phone back from this boy. Her sweet delicate heart-shaped face. The face that haunted my every step, just because it was somewhere else, in the hands of this Jacob person.

Suddenly my phone was ringing again. I thought about leaving it but then I glanced upon the number.

Bella’s.

“Hello?” I asked eagerly. There was silence on the other end of the phone. I was getting worried.

Why hadn’t she answered?

Did she know it was me?

What’s happening?

“Edward? Is that you?” asked Bella confused, after a three second silence. I sighed. I’d forgotten she thought I was the survey guy. I deepened my voice.

“Edward? Who’s Edward?” I asked.

“Oh. Sorry I must have mistaken you for someone else.” Her voice sounded sad and I was about to tell her it was me when she spoke again, more cheerful. “Anyway, um, hi. You rang just a second ago but were rudely interrupted.” Her voice got sourer at the end and I could see in my mind her looking over her shoulder to him.

“The survey,” she repeated, being awfully kind. Probably just to annoy Jacob.

“Oh, yes. Sorry. Erm, how many people are in the house right now?” I asked, stilling wanting to know more about him and whether I was right or not.

“Three,” she replied.

“Three,” I repeated, slowly, as if I was writing it down. This must be Bella, Jacob and Charlie.

“And what relationships do these people have with each other?” I asked, wondering if Bella and Jacob were that close.

“Well, I’m friends with them both, but those two are let’s enemies,” she said. I heard a low snicker in the background. “One is on a visit, and I wish would stay longer,” she said louder, probably wanting someone to heard. I heard a groan in the background.

“Excuse me a second,” said Bella.

“Certainly,” I allowed. Just one second.

“You know you don’t have to commentate in the background you know,” I heard Bella say through the phone.